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Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Jane
Date Posted: 2nd November 2006
Characters: Arateyka
Description: Arateyka thinks about the approaching end of Turn.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 13, day 8 of Turn 3
She had worked late, again, but that never really bothered her. She closed the door quietly behind her and set out along the path toward the bridge and, beyond it, the Weyr-proper. She wasn't in any rush (food was always available so missed meals didn't hurry her footsteps) and the early evening was her favourite part of the day. Cooler, a little less humid, the sun starting its slide down over the bluffs of the Weyr. The days work was complete and Arateyka had the gift of being able to leave the worries of the workshop behind. Tired in body but relaxed in mind the young woman made her way home.
On the bridge she paused and leaned on the rail, watching the river flow swiftly below her.
"Not thinking of swimming?"
She straightened and smiled at the elderly bluerider, a friend of her father's and a smith journeyman before the Pass. "Not in there." He was a kind man, and one who had helped her during her long apprenticeship. They often passed each other – her off home and him off to the smithies to pursue his craft that was now only a hobby. "Enjoy your evening."
"You too, Arateyka."
She carried on, off the bridge and taking the path the skirted the Weyr Lake. On fine evenings she liked to wander alongside the Lake, watching dragons and riders enjoying the fresh water for bathing in, sometimes stopping to speak with friends and family. When it rained, however, she took the more direct path to the cliffs and then made her way to the dining cavern through the internal corridors.
Tonight, though, she stopped at the lakeside, not to speak with anybody, nor even to watch the cavorting dragons, but to look over the lake, along the river, and out to sea. It wasn't a view she ever got tired of. Dragons, lake, bridge, river, sea. All constants in her life and all appreciated. A Turn away studying at the Technician Hall had only confirmed in her own mind her love of River Bluff Weyrhold. Weyr, now.
Her home and the home of her family for generations.
In a couple of sevendays the Turn would be over, the third Turn of the Pass, and the twenty-fifth Turn's Ending she had been alive to witness.
Was she ready for it?
Dark eyes wandered over the view, both near and far, as she catalogued her feelings.
Contentment, overall. Satisfied with her place as a journeywoman smith, in harmony with her family. Almost past her guilt at not mourning more her sister's death at the beginning of the Pass. Proud to be part of the Weyr's fight against Thread.
Arateyka had never had wanted to be a dragonrider, but she had stood, of course. All of T'kanu's children had when the opportunity had presented itself. According to their father it was their duty to do so, and not a choice, but she had always been pleased to get back to her apprenticeship. Even though Thread had changed the role of dragonriders unbelievably she still felt as if she was contributing in a way for which she was better suited than she would have been as a rider.
Relationships? She smiled, then chuckled at the thought. No, no relationships this Turn. There had been enough disruption in her life the Turn before for her to swear off getting involved again. Ever, she had said then but now, as she looked back over an emotionally peaceful but slightly empty Turn, she thought that perhaps next Turn...
Next Turn she could relax that a little. Look around a bit. See if anybody was interested. With a nod, she looked away from the view and continued her walk back toward the lower caverns.
And next Turn, she thought as she walked, was less than a month away.
Last updated on the November 5th 2006